Faith-Driven Leaders With Bondo Nyembwe
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Episode Description
In this episode of the On The Rise Podcast, host Nick Stromwall sits down with his close friend Bondo Nyembwe, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who has spent 25 years shaping lives as a teacher, counselor, principal, and now assistant superintendent in the Columbia Heights Public Schools. Bondo shares his remarkable journey from fleeing civil war as a teenager to becoming a faith-driven leader in American public education. He offers practical wisdom on how to integrate faith into everyday work, lead with presence and humility, build meaningful relationships, and raise the next generation with intentionality and purpose. A deeply personal and inspiring conversation.
Summary
1. Your Identity Shapes How You Lead Bondo's foundation as a leader starts with a clear sense of who he is — a child of God first, and a professional second. He openly declares his faith even in environments where others might hesitate, using it as an invitation for deeper conversation and connection.
"My identity is in Jesus Christ. And even in a work environment where people will be afraid to say it, I will say it just to get somebody to ask the follow-up question."
2. Presence Is a Leadership Tool How you show up matters more than your title. Bondo learned this through the simple but profound realization that elementary students were dressing up as him on spirit day — proof that leaders are always being watched, and that consistent, dignified presence leaves a lasting impression.
"Kids are always watching and listening. Me dressing up as a principal, showing up to school as a leader in my tie and suit made a difference for those kids."
3. Humility Opens Doors That Authority Cannot Bondo's approach to leadership is rooted in making people feel seen and valued rather than managed. Whether with students, teachers, or principals, he consistently leads by lowering himself rather than leveraging his position.
"The privilege I have for my title — I show up as a human being, a child of God who would want to be welcome in any environment."
4. Seeking to Understand Is More Powerful Than Being Understood Before Bondo speaks, he listens. By asking thoughtful questions and genuinely engaging with others' stories, he builds trust quickly — and creates space for faith-based conversations to emerge naturally in even secular settings.
"Whenever you ask questions, you're letting the other people tell you about themselves. And the more they tell you, you get to learn about them."
5. Faith Can Be Integrated Into Any Workplace Bondo demonstrates that living out one's faith publicly does not require preaching — it requires consistency, kindness, and the courage to be honest about what drives you. His approach disarms skepticism and draws people in rather than pushing them away.
"Everybody talks about football, everybody talks about what they did on the weekend. This is what I live every single day. Therefore, I have to speak it."
6. Accountability Among Believers Builds Stronger Teams When Bondo noticed a fellow believer using inappropriate language at work, he chose to address it privately, brother to brother — not as a boss. The result was a restored relationship and lasting behavioral change, illustrating the power of grace-filled accountability.
"I said, right now I'm not your boss. I'm going to talk to you brother to brother."
7. Prayer Is the Foundation of Discernment Before anything else each morning, Bondo prays — for his own needs, for his staff, and for guidance throughout the day. He credits this discipline as the primary source of his ability to know what people need and how to meet them where they are.
"As I pray, I ask the Lord to guide me that wherever I go, his presence be felt and that I may be useful for his kingdom."
8. Intentional Parenting Requires Marked Moments Bondo raises seven children with the same intentionality he brings to his school leadership — through weekly Bible time, spontaneous pastry runs, and late-night soccer outings. He emphasizes that children remember the moments when a parent paused and chose them.
"As a parent, it is very important to pay attention to what kids are asking for, or what kids love to do, so that you can capitalize on them."
Resources
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bondo-nyembwe-628839211/
